cố

See also: Appendix:Variations of "co"

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ko˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [kow˨˩˦]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [kow˦˥]

Etymology 1

Sino-Vietnamese word from 故. Doublet of cụ and cớ.

Noun

cố

1. (Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam) great-grandparent

   Synonyms: cụ (“great-grandparent”), cụ bà (“great-grandmother”), cụ ông (“great-grandfather”)

Verb

cố

1. (only in compounds) to reason

Prefix

cố

1. (officialese) the late

   cố Tổng Bí thư Trường Chinh

   the late General Secretary Trường Chinh

See also

• nguyên (“former”)

Adjective

cố

1. (only in compounds) intentional; premeditated

Derived terms

• biến cố (變故) - major event; happening; upheaval
• cha cố - Catholic priest
• cố đô (故都) - old capital; ancient capital
• cố hương (故鄉) - (literary) hometown; birthplace
• cố nhân (故人) - old friend
• cố sát (故殺) - homicide
• cố tình (故情) - to deliberately do something
• cố ý (故意) - to do something intentionally
• duyên cố (緣故) - cause; reason
• điển cố
• ôn cố tri tân (溫故知新) - One should be able to derive new understanding while revising what one has learned.
• quá cố (過故) - (literary) to die
• sự cố (事故) - event; setback; incident; accident; breakdown; failure

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

cố

1. to try; to endeavor

Derived terms

• cố công
• cố gắng - to try; to endeavor; to attempt; to strive
• cố lên - go for it; do your best; don't give up

Etymology 3

Sino-Vietnamese word from 固.

Adjective

cố

1. (only in compounds) firm; strong

Derived terms

• cố chấp (固執) - intransigent, unreasonable
• cố chí (固志) - (rare) resolved (to); determined (to)
• cố định (固定) - fixed
• gia cố (加固) - to reinforce; to consolidate
• ngoan cố (頑固) - stubborn; obstinate
• thâm căn cố đế - embedded; deep-rooted; lodged
• tư bản cố định - (Marxism, capitalism) fixed capital

Etymology 4

Sino-Vietnamese word from 錮.

Verb

cố

1. (only in compounds) to seal

Derived terms

• cầm cố (捦錮) - to mortgage
• cấm cố (禁錮) - to detain; confine; restrain

Anagrams

• ốc